As both a parent and a school uniform shop owner, I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by the BBC about the proposed new school uniform bill being debated by the Northern Ireland Assembly. Read the BBC school uniform article.
Now, some might say I’ve got a foot in both camps—one in the world of parents trying to keep costs down and the other in the business of selling uniforms. But here’s the thing: I actually think the plan to limit branded items is a great idea.
School uniforms should be smart, practical, and, most importantly, affordable. Giving parents the option to buy more generic pieces from a range of retailers is a win all around. It keeps costs down without sacrificing the sense of identity and levelling impact school uniform provides.
And as for the future of uniform shops like mine? We’ll adapt! There will always be a need for an emergency jumper on a rainy Wednesday in December, and I’m all for making sure school uniforms work for everyone—without unnecessary expense.
So yes, I stuck my oar in. And I’ll keep doing so because a good uniform policy should be about fairness, not fashion.